NBA Game Summary - Atlanta at Detroit

Detroit, MI (Basketball News) - Rasheed Wallace had 26 points and eight rebounds as Detroit clinched the Central Division with a 91-84 victory over Atlanta at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

Tayshaun Prince added 18 points while Richard Hamilton and Chauncey Billups each had 14 for the Pistons, who recorded their 15th consecutive win at the Palace and wrapped up their fourth division crown in five years.

Al Harrington finished with 23 points for the Hawks, who snapped a four-game losing streak with an overtime win Sunday against Orlando. Joe Johnson netted 17 in defeat.

The Hawks held an 15-12 lead midway through the first quarter, but Detroit outscored Atlanta 18-5 over the remainder of the period to move comfortably in front.

The Pistons scored the last eight points of the quarter, ending with a layup and free throw by Hamilton in the closing seconds that put the Pistons up 30-20.

After Esteban Batista’s layup to start the second frame cut Atlanta’s deficit to eight, Detroit embarked on an 18-6 run to break open the game.

Maurice Evans had eight points during the spurt, including a triple with 5:35 remaining before intermission which gave the Pistons a 46-28 advantage. Wallace followed with a putback to extend the margin to 20 points.

Detroit led 53-34 at halftime, but Atlanta put together a 13-4 burst over the first five minutes of the third quarter and moved within 57-47 after a three- point play from Harrington. The Hawks trailed 72-60 heading into the final 12 minutes.

Billups then opened the fourth quarter with a three-pointer and fed Evans for an easy dunk off a steal to lengthen Detroit’s cushion to 17 points.